[Updated for the 2024 admissions cycle.]

Carefully review the following information.

Your academic preparation and coursework choices for a possible transfer to the College of Human Ecology at Cornell University are critical components of the admissions process.

The coursework outlined below is parallel to what our current students complete during their first semesters. Completing the coursework below also enables incoming transfer students to have the appropriate foundational academic preparation, to focus on major-specific courses, and to be on track for a timely graduation. Completing the coursework requirements with strong grades does not guarantee admission but it does make an applicant more competitive in our applicant pool.

All transfer applicants who apply to enroll for their sophomore year are required to have completed, or to have in progress at the time of application, the “Required coursework”, which includes natural/life science, English Composition, quantitative, and social science coursework. Review the specific coursework requirements listed by major below. The “Additional coursework” is recommended, but not required for those applying to enroll as sophomores. 

Those seeking to enroll for their junior year are required to complete the "Required coursework" and the "Additional coursework".

Important notes:

  • Coursework outlined below should be completed at a two- or four-year undergraduate institution.
  • The two semester/6 credit English Composition/writing intensive coursework requirements can be completed across the disciplines/departments. Visit Cornell University's John S. Knight Institute for Writing in the Disciplines to review the criteria that courses need to meet to satisfy this requirement.
  • Those applying to our Nutritional Sciences and Human Biology, Health and Society majors and/or those with premed/predentistry interests can apply to enter for fall semesters only due to science sequencing.
  • PREMED/HEALTH/DENTISTRY-interested applicants, regardless of major, who plan to apply to enter as sophomores are required to complete an academic year/two semester sequence in introductory chemistry with accompanying labs each semester in addition to any other specific science requirements based on your major of interest.
  • PREMED/HEALTH/DENTISTRY-interested applicants, regardless of major, who plan to apply to enter as juniors are also required to complete an academic year/two semester sequence of introductory biology with accompanying labs each semester, along with sequences in organic chemistry. Exceptional grades in those courses are expected.
  • ALL DESIGN (Design and Environmental Analysis; Fashion Design and Management (both options), and Fiber Science) applicants are required to submit a design supplement as part of their application. Those who are re-applying to these majors should submit updated supplements. These supplements are critically reviewed by design department faculty. The Admissions Committee will not consider applications to these majors unless the design supplement is submitted.
  • Placing out of a course at your first institution due to AP/IB exam scores, high school coursework, and/or placement exams administered by other institutions does not necessarily fulfill course requirements for the College of Human Ecology. The College of Human Ecology adheres to its own established policies. AP/IB score policies are reviewed each year. Changes may impact course planning recommended prior to enrollment.
  • Transfer applicants should not plan to use AP/IB credits to fulfill many/most of the required coursework.
  • Cornell University's semester system awards quarter system credits by calculating .67 credits per each credit of study at an institution on the quarter system. A 3-credit quarter system course therefore will be awarded 2 credits.

Prospective students interested in Public Policy or Health Care Policy should follow the transfer guidelines for the Brooks School of Public Policy. 

Required coursework by major

Required coursework (Required for all transfer applicants.)

  • General/Introductory Biology, Chemistry, or Physics, with lab work each semester (8 credits/2 semesters) [See note above if you also plan to pursue a premed/health/dentistry path.]
  • English Composition / Writing Intensive coursework (6 credits/2 semesters)
  • Statistics (3 credits)
  • Precalculus* or Calculus (3 credits) if neither course was taken during high school.
  • Introductory Psychology (3 credits)

Also required: A design supplement, which will be critically reviewed by design department faculty. The Admissions Committee will not consider applications to this major unless the design supplement is submitted.

Additional coursework (recommended, but not required for those applying to enroll as sophomores. required for those applying to enroll as juniors.)

  • Introductory Microeconomics (3 credits)
  • Studio in two- and three- dimensional design (3 credits) 

Note: Students interested in Fashion Design are strongly encouraged to apply for their sophomore year. Coursework/portfolio review will determine the number of semesters needed to graduate, if admitted.

Required coursework (Required for all transfer applicants.)

  • General/Introductory Biology, Chemistry, or Physics, with lab work each semester (8 credits/2 semesters) [See note above if you also plan to pursue a premed/health/dentistry path.]
  • English Composition / Writing Intensive coursework (6 credits/2 semesters)
  • Precalculus* or calculus (3 credits)
  • Introductory Psychology (3 credits)

Also required: A design supplement, which will be critically reviewed by design department faculty. The Admissions Committee will not consider applications to this major unless the design supplement is submitted.

Additional coursework (recommended, but not required for those applying to enroll as sophomores. required for those applying to enroll as juniors). 

  • Statistics (3 credits) or Computer Science (3 credits)
  • Design or Studio Art
  • Introductory Microeconomics (3 credits)
  • Introductory anthropology or sociology (3 credits)

Required coursework (Required for all transfer applicants.)

  • General/Introductory Biology, Chemistry, or Physics, with lab work each semester (8 credits/2 semesters) [See note above if you also plan to pursue a premed/health/dentistry path.]
  • English Composition / Writing Intensive coursework (6 credits/2 semesters)
  • Calculus (3 – 4 credits)
  • Introductory Psychology (3 credits)
  • Introductory Microeconomics (3 credits)

Also required: A design supplement, which will be critically reviewed by design department faculty. The Admissions Committee will not consider applications to this major unless the design supplement is submitted.

Additional coursework (recommended, but not required for those applying to enroll as sophomores. required for those applying to enroll as juniors.) 

  • Statistics (3 credits) or Computer Science (3 credits)
  • Introductory Anthropology or Sociology (3 credits)

Required coursework (Required for all transfer applicants.)

  • General/Introductory Chemistry with lab work each semester (8 credits/2 semesters) [See note above if you also plan to pursue a premed/health/dentistry path.]
  • English Composition / Writing Intensive coursework (6 credits/2 semesters)
  • Calculus (3 – 4 credits)
  • Introductory Psychology (3 credits)

Additional coursework (recommended, but not required for those applying to enroll as sophomores. required for those applying to enroll as juniors.) 

  • General/Introductory Physics with lab work each semester (8 credits/2 semesters)  [required for transfer applicants who apply to enter as juniors.]
  • Statistics (3 credits)
  • Introductory Microeconomics (3 credits)
  • Computer Science (3 credits)

Required coursework (Required for all transfer applicants.)

  • General/Introductory Chemistry with lab work each semester (8 credits/2 semesters)
  • General/Introductory Biology with lab (3+ credits/1+ semesters) [8 credits/2 semesters required for transfer applicants who apply to enter as juniors.]
  • English Composition / Writing Intensive coursework (6 credits/2 semesters)
  • Calculus or statistics (3-4 credits)
  • Introductory Macro-or Microeconomics, Psychology, Anthropology, or Sociology (3 credits)

Additional coursework (recommended, but not required for those applying to enroll as sophomores. required for those applying to enroll as juniors.) 

  • Organic Chemistry with labs (8 credits/2 semesters) [Required for transfer applicants who apply to enter as juniors.]
  • Introductory Nutritional Sciences (3 credits)
  • Introductory Macro-or Microeconomics, Psychology, Anthropology, or Sociology (3 credits)
  • Students interested in completing dietetics requirements will benefit from taking a microbiology course and a statistics course.

Required coursework (Required for all transfer applicants.)

  • General/Introductory Biology (focusing on human biology) with lab (3 – 4 credits) [See note above if you also plan to pursue a premed/health/dentistry path.]
  • General/Introductory Biology, Chemistry, or Physics, with lab (3 – 4 credits)
  • English Composition / Writing Intensive coursework (6 credits/2 semesters)
  • Precalculus* or calculus (3 credits)
  • Introductory Psychology (3 credits)

Additional coursework (recommended, but not required for those applying to enroll as sophomores. required for those applying to enroll as juniors.) 

  • Any course focused on human development (e.g. Child Development, Adolescent Development) (3 credits)
  • Introductory Anthropology or Sociology (3 credits)

Required coursework (Required for all transfer applicants.)

  • General/Introductory Chemistry with lab work each semester (8 credits/2 semesters)
  • English Composition / Writing Intensive coursework (6 credits/2 semesters)
  • Calculus or Statistics (3 – 4 credits)
  • Introductory Macro-or Microeconomics, Psychology, Anthropology, or Sociology (3 credits)

Additional coursework (recommended, but not required for those applying to enroll as sophomores. required for those applying to enroll as juniors.) 

  • General/Introductory Biology with lab work each semester (8 credits/2 semesters) [Required for transfer applicants who apply to enter as juniors.]
  • Organic Chemistry with labs (8 credits/2 semesters) [Required for transfer applicants who apply to enter as juniors.]
  • Introductory Nutritional Sciences (3 credits)
  • Introductory Macro-or Microeconomics, Psychology, Anthropology, or Sociology (3 credits)
  • Students interested in completing dietetics requirements will benefit from taking a microbiology course and a statistics course.

Follow the Brooks School of Public Policy transfer guidelines

Follow the Brooks School of Public Policy transfer guidelines

* College of Human Ecology policy states that precalculus coursework credits do not transfer, however, completion of at least precalculus at the collegiate level is an admissions requirement.

High School Coursework: Transfer applicants are required to have completed high school coursework in a) biology and b) chemistry or physics. Courses not completed in high school must be taken as an undergraduate.